ODDFELLOWS' ORDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 17 March 1915, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS' ORDER.

» GRAND LODGE SESSION. MAYOR'S CIVIC RECEPTION. As the annual session of the Grand Lodge- of the Independent Order of Oddfellows is being held this year in Auckland, Mr. A. H. Valentine, Grand Master, and . the delegates, were accorded a civic Teception yesterday by the Mayor, Mr. C. J. Parr. The session is being held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Pitt Street. The District Deputy CM., Mr. F. T. Harding, presided at the opening session and Mr. D. R. Cooper, District Secretary, introduce! the Mayor, who, in welcoming the delegates to Auckland, mentioned that for many years he had been a member of the M.U. of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. He remarked that a good Oddfellow was a good citizen. It gave stability to a city when a man was self-reliant, and knew how to assist himself and his fellowu. It was good for the State when a man did not rush to the Government for assistance. '. In the course of his reply to Grand .Master" thanked the Mayor for the I welcome tendered, and expressed the 'opinion that every city owed a debt of "gratitude to friendly societies for the thousands of pounds that were saved which would otherwise have to go in the shape of charitable aid. Mr. Valentine also congratulated the Mayor upon the recent honour conferred upon him. An illuminated address was then presented to the Grand Master by the Deputy. Mr. M. J. Hooper extended a cordial welcome to visiting representatives, which was responded to by Mr. N. A France of Wellington. Bro. Burchell, I a P.G.M. who held office 22 years ago, was invited to take a seat upon the platform. GRAND MASTER'S REPORT. In his annual report, the Grand Master stated that there are now (58 grand lodges and 18,153 subordinate lodges, with a total membership of 2,107,055. The invested funds of the Order amount to £13,784,015, and in 1013 the sum of £1,243,753 was distributed in relief. Notwithstanding the con'petition of the National Provident Fund and of other friendly societies, the Order was gaining ground rapidly. It was quite likely that the Order would have to contend against increased benefits from the State scheme, but a strong argument in favour of the Order would always be its greater fraternal advantages. Already about 200 members had joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and consideration would have to be given to the matter of assisting those brethren to retain their membership white on active service. It was possible that the Order would shoulder its own responsibilities in connection with funeral insurance, instead of taking advantage of reinsurance with insurance offices. Reference was made to the loss by the death of Bro. R. Baxter, P.D., D.G.M., and P.G.L. (Christchurch), and it was resolved to record his services on the minutes. It was announced that the next session of the Grand Lodge of Australia was to be held in New Zealand. FLNANCLAL POSITION. The Grand Lodge considered the balance-sheets of the central body of the order, and the reports ..of the grand secretary, treasurer, and trustees. During the two yeaTS which have elapsed since last session, eleven new lodges have been opened, and the membership has increased by 280. The total receipts by lodges amounted to £40,862. The funds of the subordinate lodges nOw amount to £12,873. The sickness experienced showed a decrease, and £0,170 was paid out in this connection. The Rebekah lodges had increased by two, making a total of 15, with a total membership of 707. The Rebekah lodges aTe the female lodges of the order. There are three juvenile lodges, which are still holding their own. They possess a membership of 165, with funds amounting to £400. The Grand Lodge funds showed a healthy condition. The general funeral fund .now amounts to £61,014, and the general sick fund £34,045. The Grand Lodge funds'now total just on £100,000. The management fund stands at a debit of £217, and this fund, together with the extension of the order and payment of old members' dues, will receive consideration during the session, with a view to placing them on a more stable footing. The payment of the dues of members in the Expeditionary Forces will also be considered. The executive suggested that the order should carry the risk of sick benefits rather than reinsure at the cost of high premiums. The Government has now decided to subsidise re-insurance to the extent of onehalf of the war risk premium. Notwithstanding this, the executive sees no reason to change its opinion in regard to the order carrying its own risk. Numerous appeals had been made to lodges on behalf of brethren in distress, and they had been liberally responded to. The question of establishing a central benevolent fund should receive consideration. The Bracken Memorial Fund has resulted in a fair response being made. Bro. Bracken was a prominent member of the order. The lending business of the order, now being conducted on an extensive scale, had resulted in no loss being made; the securities are in a sound condition, and the interest well paid up. The average interest earned wag.5.30 per cent. ODDFELLOWS'TEMPEE. ' r A. communication. was received from the <irand Lodge of New South Wales, stating that the building known as the Oddfellows' Temple is now completed. To give some idea of the strength of the order, it is only necessary to state that the building cost £50,000, and the land is valued at £15,000. The property is well situated, and will, no doubt, prove ah excellent investment, as well as providing a headquarters for the order in New South Wales. The dedication of the Temple has been fixed for April 26th next, and the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was invited to arrange to have a representative present, and, judging from an illustration oi the building, those who are then present will have the pleasure of inspecting an edifice that not only Oddfellows but the general public of Sydney may be proud of.